Summer is quickly coming to an end with my kids starting back to school this week. My promise to myself this summer was to be more creative and I've exceeded my expectations. I've picked up my sketchbook, I've doodled, I've painted, I've started to learn hand lettering (and calligraphy), and I finally bought myself an iPad Pro, Apple Pencil and Procreate app. My creative juices have exploded this summer and it's starting to feel like I did when I was younger before I had motherly responsibilities. It's been a wonderful summer for me in this regards and I feel much more balanced. I was incredible excited to have been invited to a DIY Workshop at our local Aerie Lane in Safety Harbor. This is the original Aerie Lane and is operated by the founders of the company, Sheyla and Courtney. Along with a group of local bloggers, I spent an evening with Sheyla painting and putting together their large rustic centerpiece. Sheyla and her team welcomed us with an evening full of more than ... [ Read More ]
Cloth Diaper Laundry Room Sign Download
If you are a cloth diapering family or just want something fun to hang in your laundry room I've created a fun new print. I've always been an artist but haven't done much with my art since before my kids were born. A few years ago I began dabbling in different arts and crafts again trying to get my creative juices flowing again. I've spent a lot of energy on my painted rocks over the past few years but I have a fun new creative medium!! My ipad Pro, Procreate app and Apple Pencil!! I've never been trained in graphic design or created digital designs before and have been teaching myself how to do this. With the Apple Pencil I (almost) feel like I'm doodling away in my favorite sketch book. I have a lot more to learn and have a lot of fun ideas and goals for this year. For starters, this print is available for purchase on Etsy for you to download and print at home! It's an 8.5" x 11" PDF file that you can hang in your laundry room. I know everyone's wash routine varies but this is ... [ Read More ]
365 Days of Painted Rocks – Painted Rock Challenge
Do you like to paint rocks? Thinking of starting a new hobby and need a little inspiration? I have just what you need to keep your creative juices flowing; even on those days when you aren't feeling very creative. I know that many of you love my monthly challenge themes and thought I'd create a full year of painted rock themes and ideas in one downloadable checklist PDF. Once you complete a rock just check it off your list and move on down the list. There's no specific order that you'll need to paint these rocks and the themes are pretty generic for year round fun! If you prefer a monthly format with seasonal themes you can always complete one of the previous painted rock challenges. To download the full list all you need to do is sign up for my newsletter! Once you sign up the PDF file will be emailed to you within the day. Be sure to check all your folders in your inbox; including that spam folder where fun things like to hide! If you still can't find it you can always ... [ Read More ]
Sweet Tomatoes’ Picnic Delights for July
Sweet Tomatoes' was kind enough to host our family for dinner this month to sample some of their Stars, Stripes and Picnic Delights recipes. This is one of my favorite places to take my family for dinner because everyone can pick what they want to eat without arguing. When we typically go out to eat there is always the argument about what the kids are going to order and what they are actually going to eat. When was the last time your tween decided they wanted an adult meal only to leave half of it behind because they didn't like it?? At Sweet Tomatoes' the kids plate their own food buffet style and I don't feel bad if they try something that they don't care for. They can go back for seconds if they are really hungry. I'm always impressed that my kids plate things that we don't typically prepare at home like beets, cauliflower, and assorted veggies. My daughter loves all of the Sweet Tomatoes salad recipes; especially the ones featuring fruit! She is so excited to try the new ... [ Read More ]
Washing Cloth Diapers with Tide + Oxi
This post is sponsored by Procter & Gamble. Considering using cloth diapers on your baby? Are you a cloth diapering parent who is searching for the right detergent to use to wash them? Guess what? There really aren’t too many restrictions when washing your diapers. The key to getting your diapers clean is having a good wash routine and a good detergent; like Tide + Oxi. Washing your diapers is actually much easier than deciding which brand and style you’ll want to try! Keep it simple! A good wash routine is easy to find and can be adjusted depending on your washing machine. You’ll always want to follow the care instructions on the diapers. If your baby has pooped you’ll want to dump any solids into the toilet and/or spray (or dunk/swish) any stubborn solids. Do a short quick rinse in your washing machine using cold water; this will help remove urine and feces before the wash cycle. Next, use the warmest water wash allowable for your brand of diapers. Most brands ... [ Read More ]
Joys of Non-Rev Travel
When traveling as a non-rev airline employee (non-rev means we fly free...on standby) there are ups and downs....usually with a lot of uncertainty and stress. Thankfully we've been doing this for over 20 years and we've learned to "roll with it" when it comes to our travel days. A typical travel day may look a lot like this.... Constantly checking the flight standby lists the day before and day of and placing bets of which flight looks the best. There are never any guarantees that we’ll get a seat. This makes it interesting to make travel plans and you must always have a backup plan. Rain and ground holds can throw off your whole schedule! Instead of ending up in Buffalo last night, we sat on the tarmac in Tampa for 45 minutes and slept in Detroit...for a whole 5 hours...before starting all over again. Can I just say that Sheraton’s beds were so dreamy!! Larger flights are usually less complicated then smaller regional flights. This mornings adventure ... [ Read More ]
“Get Wild” Animal Painted Rock Challenge
How is it possible that May is almost over?? That means summer vacation, school is out, and things are getting WILD here! In honor of all of the wild fun we'll be having this summer, this month's challenge theme is a "Get Wild" animal challenge! This challenge can be done at any time, it doesn't necessarily have to be completed during June. Since there are no rules in rock painting, have fun and enjoy this wild challenge! If you want to share your creations,the Painted Rock Challenge group is a fun place to share your rocks and get inspired by other rockers. It’s a private group on Facebook and easy (and free) to join! New to Rock Painting? Start here: Painted Rocks – How to Get Started ... [ Read More ]
Ideas for End of Year & Girl Scout Bridging Ceremony Gifts
It's the end of the school year and we're completing another year of Girl Scouts. This year our troop expanded to a multi-level troop with girls ranging from 2nd grade (Brownies) to 4th grade (Juniors). The majority of our girls are bridging over to Junior Girl Scouts this year so we're planning our big end of year Bridging Ceremony. We have so much to celebrate with these girls for all of their hard work this year. Our troop sold over 5,500 boxes of cookies during cookie season and had a lot of money to spend on the girls and our community. We had a great outing at an aerial ropes and zip line course near us with some of the profits from cookie sales. Another large portion will go to their end of year Take Action project. They are making care packages for the families and patients at a local hospice center and delivering those in about a week (or two). Whatever funds are left after they add to their saving account for next year are being used for their end of year party and ... [ Read More ]
Last Minute Teacher Appreciation Printable Card
I am not usually one to go all Pinterest-y for Teacher Appreciation Week. Our school (PTA/PTO) does a great job helping parents with theme'd days throughout the week....but let me just be completely transparent here....I never complete their ideas!! I have great intentions and then life happens and I just do not have the time (or the energy) to do something every day of the week. I work full-time, volunteer when I can, and totally appreciate my children's teachers....but I just do not have time to pull off a "big" teacher appreciation week. Instead, I run to Starbucks (or Dunkin Donuts or anyplace really) and buy up several gift cards for their teachers. I typically ask my kids to make a quick card as we're running out the door. I'm feeling quite proud of my efforts today, so why not share them with other busy last-minute parents who may need them!! If you are creative at all you could always create your own card using PicMonkey or other online graphic/photo editing ... [ Read More ]
Newly Renovated Tampa Marriott Westshore Tour
We were invited to tour the newly renovated Tampa Marriott Westshore during their Open House last night and were impressed with the updates. During their Open House, we were invited to explore the hotel and all that it has to offer guests. If I were planning a conference, work event or party this would be a location that I would consider in the Tampa Bay area. For wedding receptions, bridal showers, baby showers, or any other type of casual event their pool area is absolutely beautiful. Their pool deck offers an indoor/outdoor seating and swimming area. For those sun worshipers who need their Vitamin D, the outdoor area is beautiful. For those who need a break from the sun or on those hot Tampa summer days, the veranda would be a fun place to relax. The great thing about their pool area is that both the indoor and outdoor areas are connected so your party guests would all be in the same general area. For families on vacation this would be a perfect place to relax with small ... [ Read More ]
